DOCSLIB.ORG

Geologic and Geomorphologic Map of Iani Chaos (Mars)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Geologic and Geomorphologic Map of Iani Chaos (Mars) 43rd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2012) 1410.pdf GEOLOGIC AND GEOMORPHOLOGIC MAP OF IANI CHAOS (MARS). L. Guallini 1, M. S. Gilmore 2, L. Mari- nangeli 1, 1IRSPS, Università d’Annunzio, Pescara, Italy, [email protected] ; 2Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, USA. Introduction: Iani Chaos is a ~30,000 km 2 region including both Noachian bedrock and LLD deposits. that lies at the mouth of and is presumably the source for Five units have been distinguished with varying severity the Hesperian age Ares Vallis outflow channel system of modification (primarily by erosion and fracturing) [e.g., 1, 2]. Mapping of Ares Vallis reveals multiple starting from a common terrain (Noachian highlands). 1) episodes of erosion [3, 4]. Multiple discharge and re- Hummocky Terrain (Hy) : unit characterized by an ir- charge events have been proposed in the Iani Chaos regular hummocky topography (Fig. 1i). At CTX scale, aquifer system based on geophysical grounds [e.g. 5, 6], the unit displays a high-density pattern of smooth and causing collapses of the region. Detailed geologic and small knobs, mounds and mesas at the tens of meter to topographic characterization of the Iani Chaos has been kilometer, spaced out by minor order and shallow frac- developed by [12, 13, 14]. In particular, Light-toned turing systems, smoothed by the erosion; 2) Mesas Layered Deposits (LLD) have been partially mapped (Ms) : broad and flat plateaus bordered by wide and and described within it [7, 8], and are found to be com- deep extensional fracturing and faulting systems (gra- prised of sulfates [9, 10, 11] consistent with their for- bens; Fig. 1l); 3) Mesas & Knobs (MK) : broad plateaus mation by evaporation of water. bordered by wide and deep extensional fracturing and In the present work is presented the first high- faulting systems spaced out and/or overlapped by resolution geologic and geomorphologic map of the mounds (Fig. 1m); 4) Knobs (Kb) : groups of dome- region (Fig. 1a-o). shaped hills spaced out by marked valleys (tectonic Methodology: The region has been analyzed using and/or erosional) and continuous to the Ms and MK high-resolution visible images acquired by cameras on terrains; 5) Knobby Terrain (Ky) : small and diffuse the ESA Mars Express (HRSC orthoimages, 12.5 and mounds showing a smooth morphology and defining a 25.0 m/pix) and on the NASA MRO (CTX, 6.0 m/pix regional rough topography (Fig. 1n). and HiRISE, 0.25 m/pix). Topographic basemaps are Fluvial Channels Remnants (ChR) . Potential fluvial from MGS MOLA 128 pix/degree (460 m grid spacing) morphologies (channels, streamlined islands, terraces, and from HRSC DEMs Da4 (75 m and 125 m grid spac- grooved surfaces; cfr. Ch1 and Ch2 in Fig. 1o) are lo- ing). Imageries have been processed using the USGS cally exposed on the surface of the LLDs. Fluvial fea- Integrated Software for Imagers and Spectrometers tures are of similar orientation and elevation to channels (ISIS 3) and georeferenced into ArcGIS 9.x software at the mouth of the Ares Vallis; we interepret them to environment. CTX and HiRISE images are overlaid have once been a semi-continuous floodplain, later in- onto HRSC DTMs in ArcScene. terrupted by local chaos formation. Geologic Units (LLD) . At visible-light wave- Outflow Channels (ChS). Five main erosional sur- lenghts, LLD terrains (Fig. 1d) are clearly distinguished faces have been defined in Ares Vallis at the mouth of by a marked light-toned albedo and their morphology. Iani Chaos on the basis of their altitude and relative At CTX and HiRISE resolution they usually show a stratigraphic relationships (Fig. 1b, S5-S1 from young- polygonal texture down to the limit of resolution (Fig. est to oldest), and are in agreement with previous stud- 1e) and a meter scale “stair-stepped” layering (Fig. 1d). ies [3, 4]. The channel floors appear regionally flat but Karst-like landforms (i.e. doline-like fields) are also include several outflow erosional morphologies as exposed on their surface (Fig. 1f, g). The main dome- streamlined islands, grooved terrains, terraces and cata- shaped bodies fill the basins made by the collapsed racts. Their shape and topography indicates dominant chaotic terrains (Fig. 1o), occupying the valleys be- ~S to ~N flow direction. tween them. LLDs also overlap the mounds or are them- Topography: A detailed statistical topographic and selves eroded into mounds after deposition (point A in morphometric analysis has been developed using HRSC Fig. 1o). The LLDs are mostly modified by eolian proc- DEM elevations. esses (to form yardangs; Fig. 1h) and craters are rare or CsT Units. We observe a general progressive de- absent on their surface, indicating that these materials crease of mean elevation from the Hy , MS and MK ter- are eroded rapidly. rains (average of about -2200 m) to the Kb and Ky mor- Geomorphologic Units : Regional geomorphologic phologies (average of about -2900 m). This trend is units has been mapped at HRSC and CTX resolution consistent with a greater initial collapse of the original and are defined by depositional textures and/or ero- surface and an increase of the fracturing and/or of the sional patterns and albedo. erosional degree of terrains . Chaotic Terrains (CsT). These units are character- LLD and ChR Units. LLD N are characterized by ized by kilometer scale irregular block morphologies the lowest elevation (-3300 - -3500 m in average) of the 43rd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2012) 1410.pdf mapped LLD deposits within Iani Chaos, being entirely younger and darker layers of LLD, entailing multiple within a basin. At the same time, it is also inferred to be episodes of deposition) and their partial tectonic tilting. characterized by a relatively thinner sequence and a Discussion and Conclusions: We have, for the first volume of ~1300 km 3. The LLD C have an higher time, mapped and described in detail geologic and weighted mean elevation (~-2700 m), almost covering geomorphologic units composing Iani Chaos. In particu- all the values comprised between the basins and the lar, we have defined LLDs physiography and chronol- chaotic interbasin highlands. Their maximum inferable ogy and we have identified likely fluvial features within volume is of ~6000 km 3. In terms of volume, the LLD S Iani Chaos, consistent with the topographic elevations are the third of the Iani Chaos basin (~900 km 3). Their of Ares Vallis outflow channels. These systems eroded weighted mean elevation is of -2500 - -2700 m, almost LLDs and controlled their elevation. We map at least close to the central LLD region. ChR elevations are two major episodes of LLD deposition that we suggest consistent with those of respective LLD region. Also, occurred in lakes that were the surface manifestation of LLDs are completely enclosed by higher topographic periodic recharging aquifer within Iani. relief, formed by the chaotic terrains. References: [1] Carr M. H. and Clow G. D. (1981) Stratigraphy . A relative stratigraphic relationship Icarus 48 , 91-117. [2] Grant J. A. and Parker T. J. (2002) between ChS in Ares Vallis, the LLD and the ChR has JGR 107 , 5066, doi: 10.1029/2001JE001678. [3] Pacifici, A. been derived from HRSC DEMs [13, 14]. From it, we et al. (2009) Icarus 202 , 60-77. [4] Warner N. et al. (2009) suggest that ChS outflows events controlled the LLD EPSL 288 , 58-69. [5] Carr M. H. (1979) JGR 84 , 2995- and ChR elevations and, thus, LLD was contemporane- 3007. [6] Andrews-Hanna J. C. and Phillips R. J. (2007) ous to Iani and Ares Vallis formation. In addiction, the JGR 112 , E08001. [7] T. Harrison (2008) M.S. Thesis , LLDs regionally overlap the CsT unit with a non- Wesleyan University. [8] Sefton-Nash E. (2010) LPSC 41 st , conformity contact. We interpret this stratigraphy to Abstract #1957. [9] Glotch T. D. and Rogers A. D. (2007) show that some LLD as remnants of an ancient body JGR 112 , E06001. [10] Noe Dobrea E. Z. et al. (2008) partially filling the tectonic valleys between the inter- Icarus 193 , 516-534. [11] Gilmore M. S. et al. (2010) LPSC basin terrains. A likely involvement of the LLD in the 41 st , Abstract # 2374. [12] Warner N. et al. (2011) JGR 116 , chaos basins formation is testified by the presence of E06003, doi:10.1029/2010JE003787. [13] Guallini L. et al. fractures intersecting their surface continuity, their par- (2011) LPSC 42 nd , Abstract #1433. [14] Guallini L. (2012, in tial erosion into mounds (that are locally underneath prep.) Ph.D. Thesis , Università d’Annunzio. Fig. 1 a) Iani Chaos geologic and geomorphologic map. The white insets represent the three main depositional regions of the LLD (northern, central and southern); b) Ares Vallis outflow channels at the mouth of Iani Chaos; c) Perspective view of Iani units. Red lines represent fracturing systems crosscutting the LLD; d-o) Focusing on mapped units. See text for description and details. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Thermal Studies of Martian Channels and Valleys Using Termoskan Data
    JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, VOL. 99, NO. El, PAGES 1983-1996, JANUARY 25, 1994 Thermal studiesof Martian channelsand valleys using Termoskan data BruceH. Betts andBruce C. Murray Divisionof Geologicaland PlanetarySciences, California Institute of Technology,Pasadena The Tennoskaninstrument on boardthe Phobos '88 spacecraftacquired the highestspatial resolution thermal infraredemission data ever obtained for Mars. Included in thethermal images are 2 km/pixel,midday observations of severalmajor channel and valley systems including significant portions of Shalbatana,Ravi, A1-Qahira,and Ma'adimValles, the channelconnecting Vailes Marineris with HydraotesChaos, and channelmaterial in Eos Chasma.Tennoskan also observed small portions of thesouthern beginnings of Simud,Tiu, andAres Vailes and somechannel material in GangisChasma. Simultaneousbroadband visible reflectance data were obtainedfor all but Ma'adimVallis. We find thatmost of the channelsand valleys have higher thermal inertias than their surroundings,consistent with previousthermal studies. We show for the first time that the thermal inertia boundariesclosely match flat channelfloor boundaries.Also, butteswithin channelshave inertiassimilar to the plainssurrounding the channels,suggesting the buttesare remnants of a contiguousplains surface. Lower bounds ontypical channel thermal inertias range from 8.4 to 12.5(10 -3 cal cm-2 s-1/2 K-I) (352to 523 in SI unitsof J m-2 s-l/2K-l). Lowerbounds on inertia differences with the surrounding heavily cratered plains range from 1.1 to 3.5 (46 to 147 sr). Atmosphericand geometriceffects are not sufficientto causethe observedchannel inertia enhancements.We favornonaeolian explanations of the overall channel inertia enhancements based primarily upon the channelfloors' thermal homogeneity and the strongcorrelation of thermalboundaries with floor boundaries. However,localized, dark regions within some channels are likely aeolian in natureas reported previously.
    [Show full text]
  • Portal Valiant Integrated Com My Policy
    Portal Valiant Integrated Com My Policy Bejeweled Leonhard usually tickling some Kulturkreis or vacillates soundlessly. Drier and honeycombed Kurtis disunites almost traitorously, though Tann harasses his Mombasa neighbours. Vindictive and unsolicitous Matthiew blast her chirm qualifies or retorts refutably. Where policy and my very great efficiencies and automated sms and handmade gifts for valiant portal has given your supervisor and. WatchGuard has deployed nearly a million integrated multi-function threat management appliances worldwide. Backbase Press & Latest News Backbase. Wholesale Club Holdings Inc. Joint Deployment Energy Planning and Logistics Optimization Initiative J-DEPLOI Video Portal. Active bidding campaigns, my son who killed anyone! Drop your anchor than a better harbor! And relieve want to link my ship to JIRA but I can't fetch an asset. News 'Network of faith' for Hawaii's military DVIDS. Vessel Registration The Texas General society Office. Inkfidel is my name is an integrated resources activity rooms that productivity, integration with policies, and operated business and. Rosalyn. Having something new data integration continues to valiant integrated population to rest of communication provides a recently, texas area to learn best alongside the agglomeration of. We created Exteriors Denver, llc to raise excellent products and services to you. Backbase and Mambu partner to deliver high end-to-end integrated SaaS banking solution. IBSA invites both individuals and businesses to delay more hand our work drop the communities we serve. It was reading much my own idea. Mstxs is the small business men, that she worked together to join forces case studies on the market helped me give us take a specific individuals.
    [Show full text]
  • Interior Layered Deposits in the Eastern Valles Marineris and Chaotic Terrains on Mars M
    Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVIII (2007) 1568.pdf Interior Layered Deposits in the Eastern Valles Marineris and Chaotic Terrains on Mars M. Sowe1, E. Hauber1, R. Jaumann1,4, K. Gwinner1, F. Fueten2, R. Stesky3, and G. Neukum4 1Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Berlin, Germany, 2Department of Earth Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, 3Pangaea Scientific, Brockville, Ontario, Canada, 4Department of Earth Sciences, Institute of Geosciences, Remote Sensing of the Earth and Planets, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Germany Introduction Interior Layered Deposits (ILDs) are widespread throughout the whole Valles Marineris. They have been known and analysed for many decades but their origin remains uncertain. There are several hypotheses concerning the origin of ILDs (eolian [1] or lacustrine deposition [2], pyroclastic volcanism in subaerial [3,4,5,6] or sub glacial environments [7,8]). They all imply that the ILDs A B are younger than the troughs in which they formed. Contrary ILDs may also be ancient deposits exhumed due to uplift of the basement [9,10]. We concentrate on ILDs in the eastern Valles Marineris and chaotic terrains and analyse their elevation, thickness, stratigraphic position, competence, state of alteration, and mineralogical composition. Overview The ILDs occur at different elevations from -6000 up to -800m but always lie below the surrounding plateau rim. In contrast to ILDs in the Eastern Valles Marineris (e.g. Candor, Hebes and Ophir Chasma) that reach or even overlap the canyon rim with elevations from ~ -5000 up to ~3500 m. ILDs vary in morphology. Mostly they appear as -2800 -3000 light-toned layered outcrops.
    [Show full text]
  • Salt Triggered Melting of Permafrost in the Chaos Regions of Mars
    Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVII (2006) 2218.pdf SALT TRIGGERED MELTING OF PERMAFROST IN THE CHAOS REGIONS OF MARS. Popa I.C., Università degli Studi "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, Pescara, Viale Pindaro 42, Italy. ([email protected]) Introduction: Mars surface bears traces of many landing site (Chryse Planitia) is the place where Ares fluvial-like features, geomorphic identified as outflow outflow channel is depositing its transporting channels, valley networks etc. Among these a particular materials. The following Martian landers Pathfinder one stands above others from the dimensional point of [6] and MER A Spirit [7], and MER B Opportunity [8] view. Outflow channels bear unique water erosion also revealed high soluble salts contents in places characteristics, that led Baker and Milton (1974) [1] to possibly genetically connected. Recently OMEGA believe that are caused by a surface runoff of large aboard Mars Express spacecraft has proven the amounts of water, in short geological time. Water existence of gypsum and other highly soluble salts (e.g origin, necessary for these processes was the topic of kieserite and epsomite) in localized deposits in places around Valles Marineris, and Iani Chaos [9]. many works. Among these theories one generally Freezing point depression of water solutions: accepted idea considers that water is originating from The freezing point of pure water at 1 bar is 0°C melting of permafrost layers positioned in the places of (273K). This melting point can be easily depressed by today chaos’. Here is an investigation that takes into adding impurities or soluble salts to the solvent. In the account the exoergic salt-ice dissolution reaction, along case of halite (NaCl) salt it is known that a 10% NaCl with freezing point depression of formed salty solutions, solution lowers the melting point of about -6°C (267K) as a complentary or a stand-alone process in chaos- and a 20% salt solution lowers it to -16°C (257K).
    [Show full text]
  • Iani Chaos As a Landing Site for the Mars Science Laboratory. T. D. Glotch1, 1Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Cali- Fornia Institute of Technology
    Iani Chaos as a landing site for the Mars Science Laboratory. T. D. Glotch1, 1Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Cali- fornia Institute of Technology. [email protected] Iani Chaos, the source region of Ares Valles, is centered at ~342°E, 2°S. The chaotic terrain is widely- believed to have formed via the removal of subsurface water or ice, resulting in flooding at the surface, and the formation of Ares Vallis. Within Iani Chaos, de- posited stratigraphically above the chaotic terrain, are smooth, low-slope, intermediate-to-light-toned depos- its that are rich in a hydrated mineral that is most likely gypsum [1] as well as hematite[2-3] (Figure 1). Crystalline hematite and sulfates have been de- tected from orbit in numerous locations, including Me- ridiani Planum [4], Aram Chaos [1,5-6], Valles Marin- eris[5], and Aureum and Iani Chaos[2-3]. The MER Opportunity rover landed at Meridiani Planum and has shown that hematite is present as spherules that erode from a light-toned sulfate-rich outcrop. The MER team’s hypothesis of an ancient dune/interdune playa environment at Meridiani Planum[7] has been chal- lenged by both volcanic[8] and impact[9] models. A Figure 1. Map of hematite abundance in Iani Chaos. Hema- rover sent to one of the other locations rich in hematite tite abundance varies from ~5-20%. Based on OMEGA and sulfates will help to resolve the current debate and data[1], the presence of sulfate roughly correlates with that increase understanding of the role of ground and sur- of hematite.
    [Show full text]
  • Iani Chaos in Three Scales – a Topographic Image Map Mars 1:200,000 and Its Sub- Divisions
    Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVII (2006) 1325.pdf IANI CHAOS IN THREE SCALES – A TOPOGRAPHIC IMAGE MAP MARS 1:200,000 AND ITS SUB- DIVISIONS. S. Gehrke1, H. Lehmann1, R. Köhring1, M. Wählisch2, J. Albertz1, G. Neukum3 and the HRSC Co- Investigator Team. 1Technische Universität Berlin, Germany ([email protected]). 2German Aerospace Center (DLR), Berlin, Germany. 3Freie Universität Berlin, Germany. Introduction: During the past two years, the High a map is an automatic process using the cartographic Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on board of the software package Planetary Image Mapper (PIMap), Mars Express orbiter covered more than half of the developed at TU Berlin [3]. However, interactive fina- Martian surface, approximately 27% of it in resolutions lization, e.g. regarding label placement, is necessary. better than 20 m/pixel. Color orthoimages, Digital Ter- Altogether, Mars is covered by 10,372 individual rain Models (DTM), and – based on these data – high sheets, 10,324 within the ±85° latitude zone in sinusoi- quality topographic and thematic maps are generated, dal projection and 24 around the poles in Lambert azi- mainly in standard scale 1:200,000. To illustrate both muthal equal-area projection. While each quadrangle the quality of HRSC images and DTMs as well as the spans 2° in latitude, longitudinal extents increase from sophisticated cartographic concept and the flexibility of 2° near the equator up to 360° towards the poles in the Topographic Image Map Mars 1:200,000 series, a order to keep the mapped area approximately constant. regular map sheet and two of its subdivisions in larger Further information is given by Albertz et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Preliminary Geologic Analysis of Sedimentary Deposits Exposed in Chaotic Terrains Within the Chryse Region on Mars
    Preliminary geologic analysis of sedimentary deposits exposed in chaotic terrains within the Chryse region on Mars 1 1 1 2 German M. Sowe , E. Hauber , R. Jaumann , G. Neukum and the HRSC Co-Investigator Team 1 2 DLR Aerospace Center Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Berlin, Germany ([email protected]), Remote Sensing of the Earth and Planets, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Germany Introduction Chaotic terrains on Mars are mainly located in the source regions of the outflow channels East of Valles Marineris. They are supposed to be formed by fluidisation of an incompetent layer underlying material that is more competent. Various states of disruption are observed especially in chasmata where some knobs are present. The High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on ESA`s Mars Express mission (MEX) provides 3D-images of the Martian surface in high resolution, while the spectrometer Observatoire pour la Minéralogie, l’Eau, les Glaces, et l’Activité (OMEGA/ MEX) produces data characterising the mineralogical composition of the surface. Very high-resolution Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) images reveal the texture of the layers, whereas some physical properties of the surface layer can be derived from Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (THEMIS) night time-infrared data. We just started a project to use HRSC-, MOC, OMEGA-, THEMIS- and Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA)-data in order to analyse the stratigraphy of Interior Layered Deposits (ILDs) in the chaotic terrains, from Eos Chasma in the west to Aram Chaos in the east. The layers will be characterised by the following parameters: stratigraphic position and elevation, thickness, layer geometry, albedo, colour, physical properties, and chemical composition.
    [Show full text]
  • Water and Martian Habitability Results of an Integrative Study Of
    Planetary and Space Science 98 (2014) 128–145 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Planetary and Space Science journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/pss Water and Martian habitability: Results of an integrative study of water related processes on Mars in context with an interdisciplinary Helmholtz research alliance “Planetary Evolution and Life” R. Jaumann a,b,n, D. Tirsch a, E. Hauber a, G. Erkeling c, H. Hiesinger c, L. Le Deit a,d, M. Sowe b, S. Adeli a, A. Petau a, D. Reiss c a DLR, Institute of Planetary Research, Berlin, Germany b Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Geosciences, Berlin, Germany c Institut für Planetologie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany d Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géodynamique, UMR 6112, CNRS, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France article info abstract Article history: A study in context with the Helmholtz Alliance ‘Planetary Evolution and Life’ focused on the (temporary) Received 11 March 2013 existence of liquid water, and the likelihood that Mars has been or even is a habitable planet. Both Received in revised form geomorphological and mineralogical evidence point to the episodic availability of liquid water at the 10 February 2014 surface of Mars, and physical modeling and small-scale observations suggest that this is also true for Accepted 21 February 2014 more recent periods. Habitable conditions, however, were not uniform over space and time. Several key Available online 5 March 2014 properties, such as the availability of standing bodies of water, surface runoff and the transportation of Keywords: nutrients, were not constant, resulting in an inhomogeneous nature of the parameter space that needs to Mars be considered in any habitability assessment.
    [Show full text]
  • Capacity of Chlorate to Oxidize Ferrous Iron: Implications for Iron Oxide Formation on Mars
    minerals Article Capacity of Chlorate to Oxidize Ferrous Iron: Implications for Iron Oxide Formation on Mars Kaushik Mitra 1 , Eleanor L. Moreland 1 and Jeffrey G. Catalano 1,2,* 1 Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA; [email protected] (K.M.); [email protected] (E.L.M.) 2 McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 20 July 2020; Accepted: 17 August 2020; Published: 19 August 2020 Abstract: Chlorate is an important Cl-bearing species and a strong potential Fe(II) oxidant on Mars. Since the amount of oxychlorine species (perchlorate and chlorate) detected on Mars is limited (<~1 wt.%), the effectiveness of chlorate to produce iron oxides depends heavily on its oxidizing capacity. Decomposition of chlorate or intermediates produced during its reduction, before reaction with Fe(II) would decrease its effective capacity as an oxidant. We thus evaluated the capacity of chlorate to produce Fe(III) minerals in Mars-relevant fluids, via oxidation of dissolved Fe(II). Each chlorate ion can oxidize 6 Fe(II) ions under all conditions investigated. Mass balance demonstrated that 1 wt.% chlorate (as ClO3−) could produce approximately 6 to 12 wt.% Fe(III) or mixed valent mineral products, with the amount varying with the formula of the precipitating phase. The mineral products are primarily determined by the fluid type (chloride- or sulfate-rich), the solution pH, and the rate of Fe(II) oxidation. The pH at the time of initial mineral nucleation and the amount of residual dissolved Fe(II) in the system exert important additional controls on the final mineralogy.
    [Show full text]
  • The Science Process for Selecting the Landing Site for the 2011 Mars Science Laboratory
    Planetary and Space Science 59 (2011) 1114–1127 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Planetary and Space Science journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/pss The science process for selecting the landing site for the 2011 Mars Science Laboratory John A. Grant a,n, Matthew P. Golombek b, John P. Grotzinger c, Sharon A. Wilson a, Michael M. Watkins b, Ashwin R. Vasavada b, Jennifer L. Griffes c, Timothy J. Parker b a Center for Earth and Planetary Studies, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, 6th at Independence SW, Washington, DC 20560, USA b Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA c Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA article info abstract Available online 25 June 2010 The process of identifying the landing site for NASA’s 2011 Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) began in Keywords: 2005 by defining science objectives, related to evaluating the potential habitability of a location on Mars Mars, and engineering parameters, such as elevation, latitude, winds, and rock abundance, to determine Landing sites acceptable surface and atmospheric characteristics. Nearly 60 candidate sites were considered at a series of open workshops in the years leading up to the launch. During that period, iteration between evolving engineering constraints and the relative science potential of candidate sites led to consensus on four final sites. The final site will be selected in the Spring of 2011 by NASA’s Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate. This paper serves as a record of landing site selection activities related primarily to science, an inventory of the number and variety of sites proposed, and a summary of the science potential of the highest ranking sites.
    [Show full text]
  • Sulfur on Mars from the Atmosphere to the Core Heather B
    Sulfur on Mars from the Atmosphere to the Core Heather B. Franz1, Penelope L. King2, and Fabrice Gaillard3 1NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA 2Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia 3CNRS-Université d’Orléans, ISTO, la rue de la Ferollerie, 45071 Orléans, France Abstract Observations of the martian surface from orbiting spacecraft and in situ landers and rovers, as well as analyses of martian meteorites in terrestrial laboratories, have consistently indicated that Mars is a sulfur-rich planet. The global inventory of sulfur, from the atmosphere to the core, carries widespread implications of potential geophysical, geochemical, climatological, and astrobiological significance. For example, the sulfur content of the core carries implications for core density; the speciation of igneous sulfur minerals reflects the oxidation state of the magma from which they formed; sulfur-bearing gases may have exerted control on the temperatures at the surface of early Mars; and the widespread availability of sulfur on Mars would have provided an abundant source for energy and nutrients to fuel sulfur-metabolizing microbes, such as those that arose during the emergence of primitive life on Earth. Here we provide an overview of martian sulfur and its relevance to these areas of interest, including a discussion of analytical techniques and results acquired by space missions and meteorite analyses to date. We review current studies modeling the potential effects of sulfur-bearing gases on the past martian climate and possible constraints on atmospheric composition implied by sulfur isotopic data. We also explore the importance of sulfur to the search for extinct or extant life on Mars.
    [Show full text]
  • Tanya N. Harrison
    Tanya N. Harrison E-Mail: [email protected] Academic & Research Employment Research Scientist Space Technology and Science (“NewSpace”) Initiative, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ Sept 2016–present Ø Work to create links between academia and the commercial space sector by facilitating partnerships on NASA. DoD, NSF, DARPA, etc., proposals Ø Mars geomorphology research, focusing on landing sites for the 2020 rover Ø Science team collaborator on NASA’s Opportunity rover, serving as a gully expert as the rover heads toward what may be an ancient martian gully Research Assistant Centre for Planetary Science & Exploration (CPSX), University of Western Ontario, London, ON May 2013–Aug 2016 Ø Content lead for the Interactive Mapping of Mars (iMARS) web tool: Designed rover challenges and wrote associated KML files; created figures and wrote descriptions of martian landforms for student tutorials Ø Editor for the Geological Association of Canada Planetary Sciences Division Newsletter Ø In charge of the Geological Association of Canada Planetary Sciences Division Twitter feed (@pgg_canadian) Ø Interim Public Outreach Coordinator from Sept–Dec 2014, which involved training and leading a group of 7 outreach assistants and a pool of volunteers in order to run outreach events with local K-12 classes Web Editor Intern The Planetary Society, Pasadena, CA Sept 2012–present Ø Edit and write blog articles on a variety of space science-related topics intended to educate the public Ø Update the society’s space image gallery to showcase amateur-processed
    [Show full text]